Child Care Fee Subsidy

The Child Care Fee Subsidy helps families with children under 13 years old pay for licensed child care or eligible recreation programs. The amount of subsidy depends on your family’s income and circumstances. 

On this page

• What programs or providers are eligible?
• Am I eligible?
• How much will I pay?
• How to apply
• If you are approved
• Important information
• Questions?

What programs or providers are eligible?

• Full-day and half-day child care
• Before and after school programs
• Holiday and seasonal camps (PA Days, March Break, summer)
• Licensed home child care

To view eligible providers in Haldimand and Norfolk or join the child care wait list, please visit the Haldimand Norfolk OneList website. 

Am I eligible? 

You may qualify if: 

• You live in Haldimand or Norfolk 
• Your child is enrolled in a licensed child care program or licensed home child care 
• You need child care because you are: 
  • Working 
  • Attending school or training 
  • Experiencing exceptional circumstances (e.g., illness, disability, family crisis) 
• Your income meets provincial guidelines 

How much will I pay? 

Your contribution is based on your income. Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator below to estimate your monthly cost. You must apply to confirm eligibility. 

[Embed Calculator Here] 

If you are approved

If approved, you and your child care provider will receive a letter confirming: 

• Number of subsidized days per week 
• Any parent contribution (based on provincial income test) 

Approval length depends on your reason for service. At your interview, the Early Years Service Coordinator will confirm:  

• Start and end dates 
• How to extend your approval to avoid service gaps. It is your responsibility to contact the Children’s Services office thirty (30) days before the expiry to initiate the update process and to ensure there is no interruption in your fee subsidy coverage. 

By accepting the subsidy, you agree to the Child Care Fee Subsidy Agreement that requires you to report any changes immediately (job, school hours, marital status, address, phone number). Failure to report changes may affect your eligibility. 

• Children attending a non-CWELCC participating child care centre are not eligible for the fee subsidy 
• Families may need multiple verifications depending on their situation 
• Special circumstances (e.g., child with special needs, family crisis) may require additional documentation 
• If you access child care after the fee subsidy approval period, you will be responsible for the full cost of care
• If your child is leaving care: 
  • Provide two weeks’ written notice to the centre and our office 
  • Without notice, you may be charged the full daily rate for extra days